The Unlikely Leader

The Unlikely Leader

To share stories of how God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things through faith and perseverance.

Episodes

The Unlikely Leader: Survivor to Shepherd

May 6, 2026 • 43 mins
In this episode of The Unlikely Leader, “Survivor to Shepherd,” I sit down with Andrew Papasan, a senior pastor, youth pastor, and fellow podcaster whose story is one of deep pain, silence, and ultimately, redemption. For years, Andrew carried the weight of childhood molestation, unable to speak about it because of the trauma. That silence led him down a difficult path, including a battle with addiction. But his story doesn’t end t...
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The Unlikely Leader: “Hope in Heartbreak”

April 2, 2026 • 45 mins
What do you do when life brings unimaginable loss and overwhelming trials all at once? Where do you turn when grief and fear collide? In this powerful episode of The Unlikely Leader: How God Turns Setbacks Into Comebacks, we share the incredible story from author, LaVonne Chastain about the life of her cousin, Gaylynn Kapri, a woman whose faith was tested in ways most of us can’t imagine. Through deep sorrow and uncertainty, her fa...
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The Unlikely Leader: “Purpose in the Pain”

March 19, 2026 • 36 mins
🎙️ The Unlikely Leader: “Purpose in the Pain” What if the setback you never asked for… was actually part of God’s greater plan? In this powerful episode of The Unlikely Leader: How God Turns Setbacks Into Comebacks, I sit down with American Ninja Warrior contestant Angela Fuller to share her incredible story of faith, resilience, and redemption. After a devastating car accident following college, Angela stepped away from gymnastic...
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The Unlikely Leader: “The Chemistry of Faith and Science”

March 13, 2026 • 35 mins
🚨NEW EPISODE ALERT‼️ 👩🏼‍🔬 What happens when science and faith collide? 💥🧫🙏🔬⛪️🔭 🎙️On the latest episode of The Unlikely Leader, “The Chemistry of Faith and Science,” I speak with chemist, author, and Christian mentor Dr. Elizabeth Gregor for a fascinating conversation about how God can use your career as a mission field. Dr. Gregor shares how she learned to integrate her faith with her work in science—even during the chall...
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The Unlikely Leader: “Faith and Fitness”

March 3, 2026 • 56 mins
🤗 I had the absolute joy of chatting with Lacey Cleland for this episode of The Unlikely Leader podcast, “Faith and Fitness” — and Wow, what a powerful conversation! 💛 👟Lacey is a dance fitness instructor from Fort Worth, Texas with over 1 MILLION followers who is boldly blending movement and ministry. What started as high-energy fitness classes has grown into something even deeper as she now incorporates praise and worship mus...
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The Unlikely Leader: “Publishing with Purpose”

February 18, 2026 • 30 mins
Welcome back to The Unlikely Leader, the podcast where we share stories of ordinary people who said “yes” to God—and watched Him do extraordinary things. Today, I’m sitting down with Susan Perry, a Christian author and publisher from Edgewater, Florida. Susan and her husband have dedicated their lives to helping Christian authors bring their God-given stories into the world. But what makes their work so unique isn’t just that they ...
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The Unlikely Leader: From Grief to Grace

February 11, 2026 • 39 mins
✨A Story of Faith, Loss, and Unshakable Hope ✨ What does it look like to keep trusting God when life feels impossibly heavy? In this powerful episode of The Unlikely Leader Podcast, I sit down with author Karol Holmes, a devoted mom who has walked a road few can truly understand. She opens up about the daily challenges of raising children with special needs, the deep grief of losing two children, and the raw, real moments that test...
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The Unlikely Leader: “Faith Over Fear”

January 26, 2026 • 36 mins
Did you know that nearly 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. — over 40 million people — experience an anxiety disorder each year? Anxiety is one of the most common mental health struggles of our time, yet so many feel alone in it.  🎙️In this episode of The Unlikely Leader, I’m talking with Mike Catanzarito — a psychology professor, licensed Christian counselor, and professional Christian comedy entertainer— about his powerful journey throu...
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The Unlikely Leader: “Unwrap Your Spiritual Gifts”

January 14, 2026 • 37 mins
“Christmas may be over… but you still have gifts to unwrap!” …spiritual gifts, that is. As we step into a brand-new year, many of us are still asking the same big question: What does God actually want to do with my life? Christmas may be over — the tree is down, the wrapping paper is gone — but here’s the truth: you are still surrounded by gifts. Not the kind you put on a shelf, but the ones God placed inside you… your calling, ...
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The Unlikely Leader: Faith in the Fire

December 9, 2025 • 38 mins
The Unlikely Leader: “Faith in the Fire” 🔥 🎙️ In this episode of The Unlikely Leader, I welcome back Patrick Stivers, a guest whose story took an unexpected turn after his last visit. The last time Patrick joined us, he shared his heart for ministry and the mission God put on his life: bringing supplies, hope, and human connection to people experiencing homelessness. But shortly after that conversation, Patrick’s own world wa...
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The Unlikely Leader: How God Turns Setbacks Into Comebacks “Trust in Transitions”

November 26, 2025 • 38 mins
In this episode, I talk with Mark Mast, an interim transitional minister who walks congregations through seasons of change with wisdom, compassion, and solid biblical grounding. Our conversation was filled with insights about faith, leadership, and trusting God in the in-between moments. If you need some encouragement for your own season of change, you won’t want to miss this one!
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The Unlikely Leader: How God Turns Setbacks Into Comebacks “Powered by Prayer”

November 17, 2025 • 38 mins
In this inspiring episode, I sit down with longtime nurse and resilient woman of faith, Nancy Dunn. Nancy opens up about the challenges she faced early in life, the obstacles she overcame through determination, and the deep, personal relationship with God that carried her through it all. With warmth and honesty, she shares how prayer shaped her journey—guiding her career, strengthening her spirit, and helping her navigate seasons o...
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The Unlikely Leader: Delivering Hope

November 10, 2025 • 32 mins
Episode 3: In this episode of The Unlikely Leader, we sit down with Patrick Stivers — a man whose heart for service is transforming lives on the streets. Patrick shares his powerful journey of faith and compassion as he delivers food, clothing, blankets, and supplies to the homeless. Through his ministry, he’s not only meeting physical needs but also offering dignity, hope, and the message of Christ’s love to those who need it most...
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The Unlikely Leader: Coaching On and Off the Field

October 28, 2025 • 28 mins
In this inspiring episode of The Unlikely Leader, I sit down with Judy Stalter — a true coach both on and off the field. Judy’s passion for developing athletes extends far beyond sports; she’s helping shape hearts and minds for Christ through her work with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. We’ll talk about what it means to lead with faith, how she uses her platform to share the Gospel, and the powerful ways God is moving in her...
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The Unlikely Leader: Turning Regret into Redemption

October 19, 2025 • 31 mins

In this episode of The Unlikely Leader, host Kara Rapp interviews Heather Shaffer about her life—from a shy, bullied teen to a technology coach who uses her experiences to guide and serve. Heather candidly shares the impact of a teenage abortion, the years of shame that followed, and the moment God began to turn that pain into purpose.

Heather explains how sharing her story  now equips her to walk alongside others in hea...

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